Reversible structural transformation and redox properties of Cr-loaded iron oxide dendrites studied by XANES spectroscopy.

Cr-Loaded iron oxide with a dendritic crystalline structure was synthesized and the reversible crystalline phase transition during redox cycling of the iron oxide was investigated. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy analyses revealed that Cr was well dispersed and loaded in the iron oxide dendrite crystals, whose lattice constant was dependent on the Cr loading. Temperature-programmed oxidation and reduction experiments revealed the reversible redox properties of the Cr-loaded iron oxide dendrites, whose redox temperature was found to be lower than that of Cr-free iron oxide dendrites.